We had booked on to an optional extra tour to Evora, which is a town about 140 kilometres east of Lisbon. It was advertised as a tour with a wine tasting session and I have to say that as wine tastings go, this was a particularly good one.
It was to a vineyard called Ervideira, and it might have been the beautiful location in the middle of the vineyards, or just the atmosphere, but I think that they were the best wines that I have ever tasted.
However, by far the most interesting part of the day was not really mentioned on the itinerary. It was to the Chapel of Bones.
I was so shocked that I only took this one photo and then wandered around in a daze.
The Chapel is part of a large and magnificent convent and church of San Francisco in Evora, and the Chapel was built in the 17th century.
It was a large and pleasant looking building, until you looked at it more closely.
Skulls and bones covered all of the walls, pillars and were decorations on the ceiling. They were brought from 44 local graveyards that were associated with the Convent.
Apparently the style was popular at the time and was built 'in order to encourage reflection on the transitory nature of human life and the consequent commitment to living a constant Christian life'.
I am shocked all over again writing this, so will stop now, apart from one final thing.
Our guide says that there is a quote written over the doorway that is translated to something like 'those of us that are already here await you'.